Bonsai in Western Literature
Western literature, though less steeped in bonsai culture, employs their symbolic meaning to capture the essence of patience, time, and human struggles. Works like 'Bonsai' by Alejandro Zambra, an innovative novel that looks at a love story through the lens of a bonsai, and 'Romulus, My Father' by Raimond Gaita, where a bonsai tree represents hope and continuity in tumultuous times, are notable examples. Bonsai, in these narratives, take on metaphorical roles, embodying characters' inner turmoil, conveying emotions, or highlighting particular societal issues.